Navy test pilot Lawrence Brooks dies at 87

Both figured prominently in his three careers, from that of a military test pilot to a civilian funeral employee who ensured homeless veterans received proper burials.

The Chula Vista resident died of renal failure and an infection April 30 at the San Diego Naval Medical Center. He was 87.

Mr. Brooks dropped out of his Minneapolis high school in 1941 to enlist in the Navy as an aviation machinist mate, first serving in the Battle of the Atlantic. A year later, he underwent flight training, and in 1944 became a test pilot for the Grumman F6F Hellcat. Among the many aircraft he flew during World War II, his favorite was the F4U Corsair, a fighter he logged more than 3,000 hours in. By war’s end, he was piloting the government’s first nonstop service from California to Washington, D.C.

In 1951, Mr. Brooks joined one of the Navy’s first helicopter squadrons and in 1955 was the test pilot for a project to replace the aircraft’s laminated wood rotor blades with metal ones. His service also included search and rescue patrols, flight testing on the Hazelwood that led to helicopters operating on destroyers for anti-submarine warfare, and serving as one of President Eisenhower’s pilots.

“It did not turn out to be as glamorous as he thought,” said son Steven Brooks. “He made trips between the farm in Pennsylvania and the Summer White House in Newport, Rhode Island, for Mamie. He carried such important items as hair dryers, cosmetics and dog food.”

In 1961, Mr. Brooks retired from the Navy as a chief aviation pilot.

In 1962, he moved with his family to Chula Vista, and in the mid-1960s, began his second career on North Island as a civilian helicopter airframe specialist. Before retiring in 1979, he was responsible for helping keep in good order the nearly 350 helicopters in the Pacific Fleet.

“Larry knew everything there was about a Bell helicopter,” said Ed Birzer, a friend and North Island co-worker. “He could open those manuals and figure out the schematics. He used his experience as a naval aviator to good effect.”

Lawrence Westley Brooks was born June 13, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minn., the oldest of two to Leon and Jean Balfour Geddes Brooks. In San Diego, he resumed his studies, graduating from Chula Vista High School in 1965 and attending Southwestern Community College.

After leaving North Island, he embarked on his third career at Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary. Among his roles was transporting the unclaimed bodies of homeless vets to the Riverside National Cemetery and ensuring their dignified burial. He made these trips into his 80s until ill health forced him to retire for the last time.

Mr. Brooks was a member of the Lions Club, the Italian Catholic Federation, and the Knights of Columbus. He also was active in his church, St. Rose of Lima, and sang in the choir.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances Brooks of Chula Vista; sons Steven of Fallbrook and Thomas of Tujunga; daughter Suzanne Brooks-Bertram of Chula Vista; and seven grandchildren.

Viewing will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary in Bonita. Services are at 11 a.m. Tuesday ﻿at St. Rose of Lima in Chula Vista.